Mobile tiered assemblage



March 17, 1959 R. s. WALWORTH 2,877,507

MOBILE TIERED ASSEMBLAGE;

Filed April 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

March 19579 R. s. wALwoRi-H 2,877,507

MOBILE TIERED ASSEMBLAGE Filed Ap ril 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

2,877,507 MOBILE rrnnnn ASSEMBLAGE Robert S. Walworth, Berlin, Wis assignor, by mesne assignments, to Consolidated Foundries and Mfg. 'Corp., a corporation of Delaware Application April 4, 1956, Serial No. 576,165 8 Claims. (Cl. 20-1.126)

The present invention relates generally to improvements in tiered assemblages such as spectator stands, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of tiered assemblages which are mobile and may be readily moved from one locality to another.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved mobile tiered assemblage which is simple, durable and compact in construction and which is furthermore exceedingly portable and flexible in its adaptations.

Diverse types of foldable spectator stands having tiered rows of bleacher seats or chairs have heretofore been proposed; Such structures are commonly used to good advantage when distended for seating patrons of and are foldable to more or less compact and space saving condition when not in use. One of the more widely accepted bleacher assemblages of the foldable type No. 2,706,835, 26, 1955, to F. P. Ullom, wherein the highest row of seats is adapted to be fixedly positioned as by attachment to a wall with the successive rows of lower order being relatively movable toward and away from the fixed row. While foldable bleacher assemblages of the general type shown in Patent No. 2,706,835 have proven exceedingly satisfactory and have en oyed considerable commercial success, the use has been somewhat restricted by reason of the fact that these units cannot be readily moved from one locality to another but must remain relatively fixed once they are installed.

It is therefore a more specific object of my present invention to provide an improved foldable unitary tiered assemblage which may be moved from place to place and which obviates the objections and disadvantages heretofore attendant similar structures.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved self-contained unitary spectator stand which may be readily distended or folded to nested condition as desired and which may moreover be quickly and easily moved to any desired locality without need for any special equipment.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved retractable and extremely mobile tiered assemblage which may be utilized for diverse purposes and in various and sundry places due to its exceptional portability and seating adaptations.

- Still another specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved unitary mobile tiered assemblage of novel construction which may be readily distended, collapsed, and moved as desired by a novice in. a simple, safe, and easy manner and which is furthermore entirely self-contained and requires no special attachments or anchoring means.

A further specific object of the invention is to pro vide an improved mobile spectator stand which consists of relatively few parts capable of being readily assem- 2,877,507 Patented Mar. 17., -9

bled at low cost and all of which are readily available for inspection, replacement, or repair.

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse roWs of interconnected upright supports of gradually descreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each row of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for interconnecting the successive rows to permit relative movement thereof toward and away from the highest row with the platforms into and out of nested condition, means carried by the assemblage for transportably supporting the same when nested, and means for elevating the transportable supporting means to cause the upright supports to descend into ground-engaging position.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting the present improvements, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing tiered mobile spectator stands embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in thevarious views.

Fig; .1 is a fragmentary part-sectional rear view of an end portion: of a typical foldable'tiered bleacher type assemblage having one type of hydraulically operable transporting caster set embodied therein, the casters being shown lowered to effective floor-engaging position in full lines and raisedout of floor engagement in dot.- and-dash lines;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the bleacherassemblage in folded or nested condition and with the casters lowered to render the assemblage mobile;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear view of an end portion of a foldable tiered chair seat assemblage having a somewhat modified type of hydraulically operable transporting caster set embodied therein, the casters being shown in raised and non-effective position in full lines and in lowered position by means of dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view of the chair type assemblage of Fig. 3 showing the same folded and nested except for the uppermost chair which is shown distended in full lines and folded by means of dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat reduced and diagrammatic side view of a fully open or distended tiered assemblage ready for use, several chairseats being shown in open position on their respective platforms by means of dotand-dash lines; and f Fig. 6 is a similarly reduced and diagrammatic front view of the assemblage.

While the invention herein as being has been shown and described particularly advantageously applicable to a tiered seating assemblage of a certain type wherein the successive rows are movable toward and away from each other along a rectilinear path, it is not desired or intended to thereby unnecessarily restrict or limit the scope or utility of the improvements. It is also contemplated that certain specific descriptive terms used herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1

and 2, the foldable and mobile bleacher assemblage shown therein as embodying the invention comprises, in general, a predetermined series of successive transverse rows of upright supports it), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 of gradually decreasing heights, said rows of upright supports being rigidly interconnected as by means of transverse beams 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 respectively; sets of forwardly presented beams 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 carried by each of the upright supports 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 respectively, the successive sets of forwardly presented beams each being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the preceding set of beams with each set of beams being provided with means such as foot boards 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 forming transversely extending spectator receiving platforms and with transversely extending spectator seats 30, 31, 32, 33, 34; means such as sets of medially pivotally connected links in the form of lazy tongs 35, 36, 37, 38 interposed between and interconnecting the successive rows of supports, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. and as fully described in United States Patent No. 2,706,835 hereinabove referred to, for permitting relative movement of the rows toward and away from the highest row when the highest row is held in fixed position, the platforms being movable with the successive rows into and out of nested condition; means such as a plurality of ground-engaging rollers or caster wheel units 40 carried by the assemblage for transportably supporting the same when in nested condition, the caster wheels shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being mounted on horizontal pivots 41; and means such as a hydraulically operable ram 42 operatively connected by means of links 43 to each of the caster wheels and receiving hydraulic fluid from a suitable source such as a pump 44 for simultaneously actuating all of the caster wheels, as shown by means of dot-and-dash and full lines in Fig. 1, to thereby selectively cause the assemblage either to be supported on the caster wheels or to descend relative to the wheels into direct ground-engaging position whereby the row of highest order rests directly upon the ground in fixed condition and the rows of lower order may be moved to distended condition.

For facilitating movement of the rows of upright supports of lower order, these supports may be conveniently provided at the lower ends thereof with sets of tandem wheels 46 which are elevated with the successive rows when the caster wheels 40 are lowered relative to the assemblage and which descend with the uprights into ground-engaging position when the caster wheels 40 are retracted. To provide a suitable carriage for the assem blage when in nested condition, the caster wheels are suitably mounted as by means of brackets 47 to horizontal frame members 48 which in turn are rigidly secured to the end upright supports 10, of the row of highest order, the horizontal frame members 48 each being provided with inwardly directed flange forming means 49 cooperable with outwardly directed flange forming means 50 on the adjacent uprights of lower order so as to prevent displacement thereof when the caster wheels 40 are raised or lowered. As indicated, the caster wheels 40 are swingable about their pivots 41 by means of hydraulic ram units 42 which may also be pivotally mounted on the horizontal frame members 48 as by means of suitable brackets 51, and each of the ram units 42 receives operative fluid under pressure through a flexible supply line 52 connected to the pump 44 in a well-known manner, the pump 44 being formed with an operating handle 53 and a release valve lever 54 adapted to selectively supply fluid under pressure or release the same in a customary manner. In addition to the means for selectively elevating or lowering the caster wheels 40 as described, each of these wheels is preferably swingable about a vertical axis to thereby render the unit more mobile and to facilitate transportation thereof. To lock the assemblage in distended condition and prevent folding or retraction during use, the front or lowermost platform may be provided with a suitable brake and linkage 55 associated with the front seat riser 56, the brake being operable in a known manner; and so as to positively retain all of the uprights and platforms in retracted and nested condition, means such as a strap or hook 57 formed with a securing handle 58 may be provided. The various parts of the assemblage may be formed of available materials, and when the groundengaging casters 40 are lowered by hydraulic power as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the nested unit may be readily moved to any desired locality by a single operator.

With more particular reference to the modified unit shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this modified assemblage illus trates the invention embodied in a mobile chair stand type of assemblage comprising, in general, a series of successive transverse rows of upright supports '70, 71, 72, 73 of gradually decreasing heights, the rows of supports being rigidly interconnected as by means of the respective transverse beams 75, 76, 77, 78; sets of forwardly presented beams 80, 81, 82, 83 carried by the successive rows of supports 70, 71, 72, 73 respectively and each of the successive sets of forwardly presented beams being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the preceding set and being respectively provided with suitable platforms 85, 86, 87, 88 adapted to receive rows of foldable chair seats 90, 91, 92, 93 hingedly mounted on the respective platforms toward the rear thereof; means such as the sets of lazy tongs 35, 36, 37 as hereinabove described interposed between the successive rows of supports to thereby permit relative displacement thereof toward and away from the highest row so as to move the platforms into and out of nested condition; means such as a plurality of ground-engaging rollers or caster wheel units carried by the assemblage for transportably supporting the unit when in nested condition, the caster wheels of Figs. 3 and 4 each being supported on a vertical pivot shaft 101; and means such as a hydraulically operable ram 102 operatively connected with each of the vertical shafts of the respective caster wheels and adapted to receive hydraulic fluid from a suitable source such as a pump 104 for simultaneously actuating all of the caster wheels to thereby selectively cause the assemblage either to be supported on the caster wheels or to descend relative thereto into ground-engaging position whereby the row of highest order rests directly upon the ground in fixed condition by virtue of the weight thereof with the rows of lower order being movable to distended condition. As already described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2, the upright supports of lower order shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are likewise conveniently provided at their lower ends with sets of tandem wheels 106 which are elevated with the successive rows when the caster wheels 100 are lowered relative thereto and which descend with the uprights into ground-engaging position when the caster wheels 100 are raised relative to the assemblage as shown in the drawing. Also as previously described, a suitable carriage for the nested assemblage is provided by mounting the caster wheels 100 on brackets 107 secured to and carried'by horizontal frame members 108 which in turn are rigidly secured to the end supports 70 of the row of highest order, the horizontal frame members 108 again each being provided with an inwardly directed flange 109 cooperable with the underside of outwardly directed flange forming means 110 carried by the adjacent uprights of lower order to thereby prevent displacement thereof and to cause the uprights to be raised with the frame 108 when the caster wheels 100 are lowered. Again, the caster wheels 100 of the unit shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are swingable about the pivot shafts 101 and are vertically movable axially of their shafts by the hydraulic ram units 102 which may be conveniently carried on the horizontal frame members 108, and each of the ram units also receives operating fluid under pressure from the pump 104 through a flexible supply line 112. The pump 104 is also formed with an operating handle 113 and with a release valve 114 by means of which fluid under pressure may be selectively supplied to or released from the rams 102. The assemblage may likewise be provided with a suitable brake and brake linkage 115 for locking the tiers in distended condition, and a suitable strap 117 or the like for embracing the retracted and adjacent uprights in nested condition may be provided, the strap or assess? lockinghook being formed with a threaded manipulating handle 118 for'securing the same in position when desired.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent that the present invention contemplates the provision of an extremely portable and mobile tiered assemblage which is relatively simple and'inexpensive and which is moreover compact, durable and safe. The unit may either be used as a tiered stand without seats, or it may be provided with either bleacher seats of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or with foldable chair seats of the type shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Likewise, any desired number of rows of upright supports may be provided depending upon the number of persons to be accommodated and the space requirements in any particular instance, the distended unit shown in Fig. 5 being of thetype of Figs. 3 and 4 but provided with twoadditional rows of uprights 74, 74' and two additional" platforms 89, 89. While the unit illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 requires a separate ram 102 for each of the caster wheels 100, the unit of Figs. 1 and 2 requires only oneram 42 for each set of caster wheels 40 mounted upon the common pivot shaft 41 and each modification has certain advantages. The mobile assemblages have gone into actual commercial use and have enjoyed considerable commercial success, and these units have proven extremely versatile and more readily adaptable to a wide variety of uses Where mobility is of the essence. The improved units are, of course, entirely self-contained and require no additional equipment whatsoever for moving the same from one locality to another. The assemblages do not require means for attachment as do permanent type structures heretofore proposed, and all parts of the unit may be readily fabricated and assembled.

It should, of course, be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away from the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition, ground-engaging roller means carried directly by the assemblage for transportably supporting the entire unit when in nested condition, and fluid power means mounted on said assemblage for positively actuating said roller supporting means relative to the assemblage and independently of the load placed thereon to selectively cause the assemblage either to be supported entirely on said supporting means or to descend into ground-engaging position.

2. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away from the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition, a plurality of ground-engaging caster wheels carried by the assemblage for transportably supporting the entire unit when in nested condition, and power means mounted on said assemblage and controllable from a single station for simultaneously positively actuating all of said supporting caster wheels to selectively cause the assemblage either to be supported entirely thereon or to descend relative thereto into direct ground-engaging position.

3. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually" decreasing heights; a transv ets'iyea di g spectator receiving platform carriedby'each of -sa-id 'rows of supports at a decreasing levelrelative'to-the"next-'ad jacent row of higher order, means for relatively displac ing said rows toward and away'fro'm the highest'row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition} means forming a carriagev mounted directly on said as: semblage and cooperable with said uprightsfo'r' support ing the entire assemblage when in nested condition, ground-engaging caster wheels mounted'on said carriage: for transportably supporting said carriageand the entire nested assemblage thereon, and means forpositively ac tuating said caster wheels relative to said carriage to'se lectively' cause the entire assemblage-either to besupported on said caster Wheels or to descend into directground--' engaging position.

4. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by'each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next ad jacent row of higher order", means for relatively arenas-=- ing said rows toward and awayfrom the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nestedcondition, means mounted on said assemblage and forming aear riage cooperable with at least some of the uprights of all of said rows for supporting the entire assemblage when in nested condition, a plurality of ground-engaging caster wheels carried by said carriage for transportably supporting said carriage and the entire nested assemblage thereon, and hydraulic means for simultaneously positively actuating all of said caster wheels relative to said carriage to selectively cause the entire assemblage either to be supported on said wheels or to descend into direct ground-engaging position.

5. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away from the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition, a generally horizontal frame member rigidly secured to the row of supports of highest order and forming a carriage cooperable with certain of the supports of lower order for supporting the entire assemblage when in nested condition, ground-engaging caster Wheels mounted on said carriage for transportably supporting said carriage and the entire nested assemblage, and means mounted on said assemblage for positively actuating said caster wheels relative to said carriage to selectively cause the same either to be supported on said wheels or to descend into direct ground-engaging position.

6. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away from the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition, a pair of generally horizontal frame members each rigidly secured to an end support of the row of highest order to form a carriage, said frame members being cooperable with at least some of the uprights of all of the rows of lower order for supporting the entire assemblage when in nested condition, a plurality of ground-engaging caster wheels carried by said carriage for transportably supporting said carriage and the entire nested assemblage, and means mounted on said assemblage for positively simultaneously actuating all of said caster wheels relative to said carriage to selectively cause the same either to be supported on said wheels or to descend into direct ground-engaging position, said wheel actuating means comprising a hydraulically operable ram operatively connected to each of said caster wheels and a pump for sup plying hydraulic fluid to each of said rams to operate the same.

7. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away from the highest row and with said platforms into and out of nested condition, means mounted on said assemblage and forming a carriage cooperable with said uprights for supporting the entire assemblage when in nested condition, ground-engaging caster wheels mounted on said carriage for transportably supporting said carriage and the entire nested assemblage, said caster wheels being swingable about horizontal pivots, and means for swinging said caster wheels about their respective pivots to positively selectively cause said carriage either to be supported on said wheels or to descend into direct ground-engaging position. -8. A mobile tiered assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a transversely extending spectator receiving platform carried by each of said rows' of supports at a decreasing level relative to the next adjacent row of higher order, means for relatively displacing said rows toward and away with said platforms into and out of nested condition, means mounted on said assemblage and forming a carriage cooperable with said uprights for supporting the entire assemblage when in nested condition, ground-engaging caster wheels carried by said carriage for transportably supporting said carriage and the entire nested assemblage, said caster wheels being mounted for vertical movement relative to said carriage, and means for simultaneously positively elevating all of relative to said carriage to cause said carriage to descend into direct ground-engaging position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,301,107 Curtis Apr. 22, 1919 2,183,056 Albach et al. Dec. 12, 1939 2,183,057 Albach et al. Dec. 12, 1939 2,706,835 Ullom Apr. 25, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,177 Canada Jan. 18, 1955 from the highest row and said caster wheels 

